Best Female Rock Vocalist (6 Viewers)

[Bill]

Better thread might have been ‘Best Female Voice’ in pop music.. b/c then Ann Wilson still wins, but there is strong competition from the likes of Karen Carpenter, Minnie Riperton, Ronstadt , ONJ, Anne Murray, Whitney Houston and more .

You're right. Because clearly the list of amazing female vocalists is as endless as there are opinions. Since the OP was specific in asking for best female ROCK vocalist, I couldn't help but to go back to the time when what we now know as 'classic rock' was all the rage. When I think about the power female rockers of that era, most of the women discussed in this thread came to mind. But the later these great singers came along, the less I personally know about their discography. But I do know the music of Joplin, Benatar, Jett, etc. And while not in the classic rock category, there were no purer voices than Carpenter, Ronstadt, Houston, and a small handful of others.

While I'm sure that Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Pink can belt out rock tunes with the best of them, they simply weren't the ladies of 'my time'. Thus it's hard for me to associate their great voices into the category that was being specified by the OP.

This reminds me of the interpretation I give to the classic song by Don McLean, American Pie. The line: "The day the music died" has always meant (to me) when the music that appealed to us personally is no longer part of the mainstream. By extension it could have a much broader meaning to include many of the things from our past that were the staples of our daily lives but which are no longer popular or possible. When there are things that are such an important part of your life that you can look into the future and imagine a time when you will no longer be able to experience these joys, it might be easy for a person to conclude; "This'll be the day that I die".

I can't honestly say that I was ever a connoisseur of music as you and many other members here are. But I did attach myself to the music of my youth and I tend to compare what I hear now to the genre that 'spoke' to me in those formidable years. Sadly, because of that narrow method of critiquing music, I can hardly tolerate most of the styles of popular music today. However, as a former vocalist I can always appreciate great vocal skills; no matter the genre or the gender.

I will always be attached to the style that I grew up with. To me that is what music is. It's my inner definition of what music is supposed to be. When I hear new sounds & styles, I recognize that this is the very definition of art. If the styles of music doesn't change, it's all just covers of the past. For many of us older folks, the nostalgic side of music is far more attractive than the art side of music. There very well may be many more Ann Wilson-quality & style singing voices out there. But for now, she is my standard in this category. And I'm probably not going to be spending a lot of time looking elsewhere for another one.

 

[saintmdterps]

While I certainly agree, Floor Jansen bears mentioning. Vocal styles from pop to opera with an amazing range and while she doesn't do it in this video, death vocals too. Nightwish are amazing.

They do a great cover of Gary Moore's Over the Hills and Far Away.

I'll cast a vote for Maria McKee of Lone Justice

 

[Mr. Blue Sky]

You're right. Because clearly the list of amazing female vocalists is as endless as there are opinions. Since the OP was specific in asking for best female ROCK vocalist, I couldn't help but to go back to the time when what we now know as 'classic rock' was all the rage. When I think about the power female rockers of that era, most of the women discussed in this thread came to mind. But the later these great singers came along, the less I personally know about their discography. But I do know the music of Joplin, Benatar, Jett, etc. And while not in the classic rock category, there were no purer voices than Carpenter, Ronstadt, Houston, and a small handful of others.

While I'm sure that Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Pink can belt out rock tunes with the best of them, they simply weren't the ladies of 'my time'. Thus it's hard for me to associate their great voices into the category that was being specified by the OP.

This reminds me of the interpretation I give to the classic song by Don McLean, American Pie. The line: "The day the music died" has always meant (to me) when the music that appealed to us personally is no longer part of the mainstream. By extension it could have a much broader meaning to include many of the things from our past that were the staples of our daily lives but which are no longer popular or possible. When there are things that are such an important part of your life that you can look into the future and imagine a time when you will no longer be able to experience these joys, it might be easy for a person to conclude; "This'll be the day that I die".

I can't honestly say that I was ever a connoisseur of music as you and many other members here are. But I did attach myself to the music of my youth and I tend to compare what I hear now to the genre that 'spoke' to me in those formidable years. Sadly, because of that narrow method of critiquing music, I can hardly tolerate most of the styles of popular music today. However, as a former vocalist I can always appreciate great vocal skills; no matter the genre or the gender.

I will always be attached to the style that I grew up with. To me that is what music is. It's my inner definition of what music is supposed to be. When I hear new sounds & styles, I recognize that this is the very definition of art. If the styles of music doesn't change, it's all just covers of the past. For many of us older folks, the nostalgic side of music is far more attractive than the art side of music. There very well may be many more Ann Wilson-quality & style singing voices out there. But for now, she is my standard in this category. And I'm probably not going to be spending a lot of time looking elsewhere for another one.

Thanks Saintman 2884, er, i mean Bill .


And while maybe i am a ‘connoisseur of music’ or maybe i am not- one thing i have NEVER been accused of is being a vocalist, so ya definitely got that over me .

 

[saintmdterps]

I’m never going to give you up

Stop it. You've already let me down...

 

[RaginCajun83]

O.k., how about posting a video that clearly shows vocal superiority from the previous video, just sort of a compare and contrast. O.k. Ann Wilson, try to beat this one.

Tatiana, letter rip!

First time hearing Jinjer, that wasn’t bad I’m not really into what I call “screaming” metal (is that what’s it’s evolved into?)

To say she’s better than Ann Wilson, I want what you’re smoking

 

[sfidc3]

Ann Wilson, no question, at least to me….

 

[SystemShock]

While I'm sure that Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Pink can belt out rock tunes with the best of them,

Fify

 

[Bill]

Fify

Ya gotta humor some people.

 

[SystemShock]

First time hearing Jinjer, that wasn’t bad I’m not really into what I call “screaming” metal (is that what’s it’s evolved into?)

It's called "screamo", so you're close.

To say she’s better than Ann Wilson, I want what you’re smoking

Yeah, that has to be some premium ish

 

[Big Ugly]

Interesting so many think it is slam dunk for Ann Wilson who I'd put top5 but not at the top. First name i think of and the one I'd go with is Stevie Nicks. Not sure i've even seen her mentioned in the thread.

 

[Madmarsha]

Interesting so many think it is slam dunk for Ann Wilson who I'd put top5 but not at the top. First name i think of and the one I'd go with is Stevie Nicks. Not sure i've even seen her mentioned in the thread.

I was surprised to see an almost anonymous [sic] Ann Wilson vote also. I love her, don't get me wrong, but had it been more Stevie Nicks answers, I wouldn't have been as surprised. Side discussion, which one still has the pipes? I know my girl Pat has lost some range, sorry to say.

 

[Big Ugly]

I was surprised to see an almost anonymous [sic] Ann Wilson vote also. I love her, don't get me wrong, but had it been more Stevie Nicks answers, I wouldn't have been as surprised. Side discussion, which one still has the pipes? I know my girl Pat has lost some range, sorry to say.

Haven't seen either live but have seen them both on TV within the last few years and they can still belt it. Saw Pat Benatar not that long ago also on something and she still had it as did Linda Ronstadt (she has to be pushing 80). I pick Stevie because like that unique "quality" she has in her voice, but I'm not gonna argue too hard against most of these names. More of a preference as most things are.

 

[Madmarsha]

Haven't seen either live but have seen them both on TV within the last few years and they can still belt it. Saw Pat Benatar not that long ago also on something and she still had it as did Linda Ronstadt (she has to be pushing 80). I pick Stevie because like that unique "quality" she has in her voice, but I'm not gonna argue too hard against most of these names. More of a preference as most things are.

I remember hearing Pat for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame (that they finally put her in!) and remember being just slightly disappointed that she didn't seem to be able to hit the higher notes she used to be able to (which was an incredible range). But I think I'm being hypercritical.

I think I remember the last time seeing a video of Stevie from recent and still sounding pretty much the same but I haven't heard Ann sing recently. I was just curious what everyone else thought.

Now, Linda has Parkinson's and can't sing at all now. Which is heartbreaking because I adore her.

 

[The Nomad]

Came to post this. I am actually not a massive Nightwish or symphonic metal fan in general. But her vocals are insane.

She is the most technically perfect singer I've ever seen in person and that includes Ann Wilson.

 

[DaveXA]

I was surprised to see an almost anonymous [sic] Ann Wilson vote also. I love her, don't get me wrong, but had it been more Stevie Nicks answers, I wouldn't have been as surprised. Side discussion, which one still has the pipes? I know my girl Pat has lost some range, sorry to say.

Ann Wilson's rendition of Stairway to Heaven wasn't all that long ago and her voice was still awesome then. Not quite what she was 20-30 years ago, but then pretty much no one is.

It can be tricky to keep your pipes healthy enough to keep performing at a high level over a long period of time.

Oh, and I love Stevie Nicks.